A five-year research project led by Professor Xun-li Wang, Chair Professor in the Department of Physics, received HK$50 million under the Research Grants Council’s (RGC) Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme to establish the Hong Kong Centre for Neutron Scattering (HKCNS), a world’s premier neutron scattering research platform based at CityUHK in collaboration with other local universities.
Closely aligned with the technological development strategies of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Professor Wang’s project will strengthen strategic collaboration between Hong Kong and the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) in Dongguan, a world-class scientific facility. It aims to enhance Hong Kong’s research capabilities, accelerate materials discovery and technology development, and promote talent cultivation and international collaboration across the GBA.
“Hong Kong has established strong research foundations in neutron scattering, supported by several internationally recognised leaders and a cohort of early- to mid-career scholars whose expertise spans instrument design, advanced experimentation and sophisticated data analysis,” said Professor Wang, who has been committed to establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for neutron scattering research. Professor Denver Li, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Education) of the College of Science and Associate Professor of the Department of Physics, is one of the team members of Professor Wang’s project.
“CityUHK has taken the lead in establishing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Neutron Scattering Laboratory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering. We have also played a key role in the design and development of China’s first total-scattering neutron diffractometer, the Multi-Physics Instrument, whose technical performance and scientific output have reached world-class standards. In addition, CityUHK has established an effective innovation ecosystem that facilitates the translation of frontier research into practical applications,” added Professor Wang.
RGC’s Areas of Excellence Scheme funds two to three projects annually across Hong Kong, each led by an internationally renowned scholar. The scheme aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s leadership in strategic research areas and advance its development into a world-class hub for research and innovation.
This article originated from CityUHK News Centre.